JD Bergeron thrives on inspiring people to take action by exposing them to the natural wonders all around us. JD is particularly passionate about birds as indicators of the health of nature.
JD joined International Bird Rescue as its Executive Director in 2015, an opportunity which allowed him to bring together his passion and work experience to benefit wild birds in a changing world. He values integrity, curiosity, and mindfulness in his leadership of more than 300 staff and volunteers in an organization advancing wildlife conservation through emergency response, rehabilitation, innovative research, and knowledge sharing with peers and the public. He was promoted to CEO in 2021.
Previously, JD served in progressive leadership roles in international development and founded Chooda, an incubator with the mission to help inspire change through outdoor adventures that engage individuals with world challenges. He specializes in organizational change, fundraising, team development, and public speaking.
JD received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in Saint Louis, but he counts his time in the Peace Corps, his international travels, and a month on Midway Atoll among a million albatrosses as the true lessons of his life.
JD lives in Martinez, California, with his husband and two rescue dogs, Cosmo and Moby.